Moving from Mikrokopter to Pixhawk 2.1

Hi I am starting to build new octocopter based on Pixhawk 2.1. I have few years of experience in building and flying custom Mikrokopter copters. All advices are welcome !

What are the biggest differences between this autopilots ? I am sure that same users of this forum changed their autopilot for Pixhawk 2.1 from Mikrokopter ?

I am reading the ardupilot copter docs but that can be not enough. First build will be flat octocopter for testing with MK 3638 motors, Flame 80a ESCs, 12" propellers and 4s batts. After tests I would like to use t-motor u7-420 motors with 18" propellers and 6s batts.

Is there possibility to arm and disarm motors in Pixhawk like in Mikorkopter so to start motors both sticks on transmitter to low right and to stop the motors both sticks to lower left ?

In Mikrokopter "Alt hold" function is enabled by separate channel. In Pixhawk as I understand all flights modes must be selected from channel 5. Can I have also separate channel for alt hold in Pixhawk ? How can I set 6 flight modes on one channel ? I have Graupner mx20 transmitter and I can use it for this with two switches (one 3-way and one 2-way) ? I didn't understand that from the wiki :(

I will use and fly with both systems Pixhawk and Mikrokopter so would like to have similar control over copters.

Also calibration of the ESCs is new for me. I have to calibrate ESCs only by Pixhawk or I have to do this also like is written in manual of t-motors ESCs ?

Replies to This Discussion

*****Is there possibility to arm and disarm motors in Pixhawk like in Mikorkopter so to start motors both sticks on transmitter to low right and to stop the motors both sticks to lower left ?

yes...works the same way.

...same for the 3 2 switch setup

Personally I have an added digital6 pushbutton switch box wired in as S3 (pot #3) Pixhawk lets you configure the scale that will activate up to 6 flight modes. You can use switches to over ride those preset 6 flight modes to any one of 10 that Pixhawk allows

t- motor ESC calibration? older Simon-K or BLHeli?

If you're happy with the cal of the individual ESCs, its simply a matter of setting what you want Pixhawk to do with what your radio sends as min/max. (as well as being able to manually set what Pixhawk thinks is min/max and center